Invalidity · first instance · 2026-04-07
000128979
Contested design: 015087587-0005
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld, EU design No. 015087587-0005 is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Dem Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung wird stattgegeben. 2. Das eingetragene EU-Geschmacksmuster Nr. 015087587-0005 wird für nichtig erklärt. 3. Die Inhaberin trägt die Kosten, die auf 750 EUR festgesetzt werden.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Mercedes-Benz Group AGvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Stuttgart, Deutschland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Robu Aktiengesellschaft
Switzerland (CH)
Appenzell, Schweiz
Represented by
Jochen Herrmann
Prior art cited (1)
passenger car
International registration No. DM/229 367 · WIPO Global Design Database · disclosed 2023-06-16
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character based on several earlier disclosures, relying in particular on international registration D1.
- ›The holder argued the application should be rejected because the contested design created a different overall impression, citing the two-tone finish, coupe layout, and door-line differences.
- ›The Invalidity Division accepted D1 as disclosed before the filing date and found no proven market saturation that would materially limit designer freedom for passenger cars.
- ›It held that the designs’ contours, proportions, lights, lines, and visible components produced the same overall impression, so the contested design lacked individual character and was invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberWolfgang SCHRAMEK
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberIvan PRANDZHEV
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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